Best colleges for transferring with a computer science background

What are some colleges known for having strong transfer pathways into their computer science programs? Are there particular institutions that community college students usually aim for to complete their CS degree?

There are several universities well-known for their computer science programs that also have strong transfer pathways.

The University of California system has a respected computer science curriculum overall with comprehensive transfer agreements with California community colleges. In particular, UC Berkeley and UCLA stand out for their exceptional CS programs.

Additionally, the University of Washington is also well-regarded for its CS program and has strong transfer agreements with many of the community colleges in Washington state. They place a strong emphasis on supporting transfer students.

For applicants seeking an east coast option, Cornell University not only has an accomplished computer science program but also has a positive history of accepting a significant number of transfer students every year.

Another university known for their Computer Science program is the University of Southern California. USC has a robust transfer acceptance program, with nearly 1,500 transfer students entering each year.

While all these universities have solid CS programs, it's also important to consider factors like admission requirements, acceptance rates for transfer students, and resources available to aid the transition.

Remember, as a transfer applicant, most universities will look closely at your coursework and performance at your current institution, especially in foundational STEM classes, when making admission decisions, so make sure to maintain strong academic performance. If you're coming from a community college, colleges will want to see that you've done well in challenging, college-level classes, and that you’ve covered the major prerequisites for Computer Science.

Also, as always, be sure to directly reach out to these schools' admissions offices and/or their computer science departments to get specifics about their transfer requirements and process.